A recent study released by The Chronicle of Higher Education showed
that Ferris State University graduation rates, during a six-year period
from 2003 to 2008, experienced a nine-point rise in percentage points –
the 15th-best improvement in the nation.

The graduation rates,
according to a study released Dec. 5, are calculated as the percentage
of all first-time, full-time students entering in the fall semester
pursuing bachelor’s degrees who completed their bachelor’s degrees
within the six-year period. As part of the study, The Chronicle compared
graduation rates at four-year institutions for a six-year period that
ended in 2008 with the rates at the end of 2003. In 2002, Ferris’
graduation rate was listed at 28 percent. During the six-year period,
Ferris’ rates were 34 percent in 2003, 35 in 2004, 34 in 2005, 32 in
2006, 37 in 2007 and 43 in 2008. That change from 2003 to 2008 is
illustrated by a nine-point rise.

Ferris President David Eisler
sees the results of the study as indicative of students capitalizing on
statewide academic opportunities the university offers students.

The Chronicle also cited Ferris as having become “more” selective in admissions even
as it achieved higher graduation rates.

“We
are very pleased with the increased retention and graduation rates for
our students,” said Eisler, who noted that the improvement since 2002 is
even more dramatic. “They reflect the commitment of our people to
student success and the hard work of our students in completing their
degrees.”

The U.S. Department of Education noted that Ferris has a
35-percent transfer-out rate, which has an impact on graduation rate,
for students who move on to other institutions, but continue their
education.

Fritz Erickson, provost and vice president for
Academic Affairs at Ferris, cited a university-wide collaborative effort
to improve graduation rates for students who receive a hands-on
educational experience highlighted by the university’s
theory-meets-practice approach to education.

“Raising graduation
rates from 34 percent to 43 percent in six years does not happen by
accident,” he said. “It takes a dedicated faculty and staff committed to
academic excellence and student success to make that happen”

The
Chronicle study focused only on schools classified as research,
Master’s or baccalaureate colleges (arts and sciences) by the Carnegie
Foundation for Advancement of Teaching in 2005. These graduation rates
were calculated as “the percentage of all first-time, full-time students
entering in the fall seeking bachelor’s degrees who completed
bachelor's degrees within six years.”

“While we continue our
efforts to keep increasing our graduation rates, it is nice to see that
our efforts are paying real dividends in the lives of our students,”
Erickson said. Colleges typically describe their graduation rates
using a similar but slightly different set of data, which includes
students who completed any degree program, such as associate degrees.
The Education Department recommends examining only students seeking
bachelor’s degrees when comparing four-year institutions because it
facilitates consistent comparisons and because producing bachelor’s
recipients is a core mission of those institutions.

Ferris State
University is a four-year public university with campuses in Big Rapids,
Grand Rapids and satellite campuses across the state. Ferris offers
more than 170 educational programs, including doctorates, master’s,
bachelor’s and associate degrees, through nine academic colleges: Allied
Health Sciences, Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Human
Services, Michigan College of Optometry, Pharmacy, Engineering
Technology, Kendall College of Art and Design, and the College of
Professional and Technological Studies. Ferris also has a University
College that provides students with instruction in study skills,
reading, career exploration and features an Honors Program. Sources: